Lady Sharks Run Away With Fourth Straight Crown

For the fourth straight district meet, the Lady Sharks of Nature Coast proved too much on the track. While Nature Coast claimed their fourth district title in a row, Monday’s conclusion to the 2A-7 district track meet proved huge for Hernando County Sprinters.

With the top four track and field competitors in each event advancing to the Regionals, which are held Thursday at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, both the boys and girls participants found various ways to punch their tickets.

The meet was originally supposed to take place Thursday, but heavy rain and lightning forced officials to postpone the meet before finals could begin.

When Monday’s restart happened rain continued to fall, but Hernando County runners kept pushing through.

On the girls side of things, Nature Coast led the qualifying contingent, sending seven athletes and three relays.

Hernando would send four athletes and a relay team, led by hurdler Jasha Patrick, who won the 100 and 300M hurdles with ease. Patrick will also compete for the Leopards in the Long Jump, while teammates Kaitlyn Batten (100 Hurdles), Ashley Morris (3200), and Lauren Plaugher (Discus) as well as the 4×800 relay squad.

Weeki Wachee and Central will each send one athlete, with Erika Herzek representing the Hornets in the 3200M while Marli Grey will be the Bears athlete in the pole vault. The Hornets will also send their 4×100 team.

Jasha Patrick cruises to victory in the 300M Hurdles

While South Sumter claimed the boys title with relative ease, all four of the county’s 2A schools will also be represented in the regional meet by male competitors.

Nature Coast will be sending five athletes, while Weeki Wachee will send one field athlete and three relays. Hernando will send three athletes and a relay while Central will have a lone competitor advancing.

Trevor Foley will be leading the Sharks, competing the the 3200 and 1600, while Kyle McInerney will be throwing the discus and shot put. Michael Berg (400), Mathew DiMuccio (Shot Put), and Chistian Coleman (Pole Vault) will make up the remainder of the Nature Coast squad.

Michael Berg fights the slick track to win the 400M

Weeki Wachee found success in the relays, sending their 4×100, 4×400 and 4×800 teams as well as Jacob Tinch who will be returning to regionals for a second straight year in the discus event.

The Leopards 4×800 relay team advanced, as well as Mark Wilson (800) and long jump district-champion Derrell Holland who leapt an impressive 20-08.00. Christian Dowdell rounds out the Hernando squad as he seeks a medal in the triple jump.

Central’s lone athlete is Ruoshon Thomas who will look to improve on his 19-06.00 triple jump in his quest for a regional medal.